Mackinac Bridge set to 'Light It Blue' Monday night

ST. IGNACE -- Michigan lawmakers turned their attention to autism Thursday, approving three bills in the House and Senate to make health insurance more accessible for families impacted by the disorder.

The passage comes just three days before the Mackinac Bridge will be lit blue for the first time to raise awareness for autism.

Both chambers passed the three bills -- Senate bills 414, 415 and 981 -- by a large majority Thursday, requiring insurance companies to provide coverage for autism treatments. Similar measures have been considered in the Legislature for more than six years and last failed in 2010.

Supporters of the bills estimate the bills could potentially save billions in state costs because of early detection and treatment and lead to fewer state depends.

"This is important given our budgetary concerns, but even more important than that is the human impact of giving parents a shot and getting them the health (care) their kids need in order to develop appropriately," said Michigan Lt. Gov. Brian Calley, whose 5-year-old daughter has been diagnosed with autism.

Calley applauded lawmakers for their work to usher the bills through the Legislature.

The bills passed the same day the Center for Disease Control released a new report showing 1 in 88 children have autism spectrum disorder -- affecting about 1 million children and teens in the United States.

More than 15,000 children in Michigan have autism -- ranking it fourth the largest state impacted.

Rep. Frank Foster, R-Petoskey, voted in favor of the bills and said it was an important improvement that had to be made.

"We're going to be spending a lot more money -- society is -- if we don't get these kids the help they need," Foster said.

Rep. Greg MacMaster, R-Kewadin, also voted to support the bills, which he said will remove "barriers" families have previously faced.

"It's been shown that early intervention helps children and families, so providing the insurance coverage to help make that care affordable will make a positive difference," MacMaster said, in a statement.

Mackinac Bridge goes blue

Key Michigan landmarks are set to be lit blue to show awareness for autism starting Monday. The Mackinac Bridge will be lit blue for April -- the first time the structure will have its lighting changed for a cause -- to join the other major structures worldwide for "Light It Up Blue" Global Autism Awareness Day campaign to show support for autism.

In years past, Niagara Falls, the Empire State Building in New York and the Sydney Opera House in Australia among dozens of other famous locations have been lit blue for the campaign.

On Thursday morning, Mackinac Bridge Authority crews scaled the 552-foot towers to replace about 100 glass-jar-size lights along the suspension beams that connect Michigan's two peninsulas.

The tab for the blue lights and labor was at no expense to taxpayers, because autism nonprofit Corner Pieces in Sault Ste. Marie collected donations to fund to project.

"It's not just a celebration of those with autism, it's also about spreading the word and trying to get people some of the facts," said Ben Duff, president of Corner Pieces, whose 5-year-old son is diagnosed with non-verbal autism.

Duff said he contacted Rep. Foster's office to help him ask the Mackinac Bridge Authority Board for its approval to support to cause.

Foster said the "effort has taken a lot of meetings and phone calls to coordinate, but it's an important issue that deserves statewide attention and consideration."

The bridge lighting will be the kickoff for "Light It Blue Michigan," a month-long extension of the blue campaign across the state.

Other major locations include the GM Renaissance Center, DTE Energy offices, the Motor City Casino, Madonna University and Wayne State University.

The campaign is also encouraging families impacted by autism and the general public to show their support by lighting their homes and businesses blue during April in support of their cause.

A special bridge-viewing ceremony begins at 8 p.m. Monday, April 2, at the St. Ignace Country Club, where Lt. Gov. Brian Calley and other state officials will discuss autism. Mackinac Bridge officials will "Light It Blue" at approximately 9:15 p.m.

More information and a live stream online of the speeches and the official lighting ceremony will be available at www.lightitbluemichigan.com, a sister website for www.cornerpieces.org.